Garrick Gaffney, DO

Dr. Jerry Sayers is a double board-certified psychiatrist in General Psychiatry and Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry. Dr. Sayers completed an Internal Medicine internship in Youngstown, Ohio. He then completed his residency in General Psychiatry at The Johns Hopkins Hospital followed by fellowship training in Neuropsychiatry and Behavioral Neurology at Johns Hopkins Bayview. He most recently finished his fellowship in Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry at the University of Maryland. Dr. Sayers has had the opportunity to care for a diverse group of patients with neuropsychiatric, neurological, and other general medical conditions. His work allowed him to work on a proactive, collaborative psychiatric consultation team designed to be involved early in the care of vulnerable patients with complex neuropsychiatric conditions. Dr. Sayers has experience in outpatient, inpatient, residential, and partial hospitalization programs. He works hard to tailor therapy to the needs of the individual patient by adapting techniques that have been successful across different treatment settings. His desire to ensure exceptional care is evident in his ability to relate to and understand an individual patient's needs and concerns.

Dr. Peter Szeibel is board certified in adult psychiatry and has been practicing for over 36 years. His practice has focused primarily on medication management within the context of a supportive psychotherapeutic relationship. He also utilizes cognitive behavioral techniques. If the patient requires more intensive psychotherapy, Dr. Szeibel refers the patient to a therapist and collaborates with the therapist. Dr. Szeibel has experience in treating Depressive Disorders, PTSD, Panic Disorder, OCD, Bipolar Disorder, ADHD, and many other conditions. He feels his personal strengths include his inquisitiveness, scientific curiosity, and his desire to understand his patients better. Dr. Szeibel was born in Hungary, just a few months before the Hungarian Revolution against the Soviets broke out in 1956. He and his family fled under difficult circumstances and immigrated to the United States. Dr. Szeibel grew up in New York City. He attended The Bronx High School of Science, followed by Columbia University for his B.A., where he took a double major in chemistry and music. After obtaining his M.D. from S.U.N.Y in Syracuse, he returned to New York City for residency and fellowship training. During this time he won the Bendheim Fellowship Award at Cohen Children's Medical Center for his research study which examined the effects of background music on the academic performance of children with ADHD. His current areas of interest include adult ADHD, psychiatric and medical co-morbidities, and the LGBTQ population.

Background and credentials    

Dr. Abernethy is a board-certified psychiatrist who received his medical  degree from the University of Texas Medical School at Houston. He completed  his internship at UT Southwestern in Dallas and earned a Master's of Public  Health in Epidemiology and Occupational and Environmental Health from Texas  A&M. He completed his psychiatry residency training at the University of  Oklahoma Health Science Center. Dr. Abernethy has over 12 years of experience  practicing psychiatry in various outpatient settings, including private  practice and community mental health centers in Texas and Oklahoma,  specifically reaching underserved communities. He has treated a broad  spectrum of mental health symptoms among diverse populations, addressing  issues ranging from mood and anxiety disorders to behavioral manifestations  of Autism and other developmental disorders.    

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Treatment approach    

Dr. Abernethy utilizes a collaborative and patient-centered approach to  psychiatry, focusing primarily on medication interventions that align with  each patient's unique treatment goals and clinical needs. He emphasizes  cooperation with patients to effectively treat and reduce mental  health-related symptoms. His practice centers around medication management,  supplemented by supportive treatments tailored to individual needs. Depending  on each patient’s circumstances, he may recommend additional support from  individual, family, or group counselors and therapists to achieve optimal outcomes.    

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What you can expect in a first visit

In an initial visit, patients can expect a thorough, collaborative  discussion focused on understanding their symptoms, goals, and clinical  needs. Dr. Abernethy will evaluate the patient's condition to determine  appropriate medication interventions and discuss personalized treatment  recommendations. Typical follow-up visits are approximately 20-30 minutes in  length. Depending on the severity and complexity of a patient's situation,  referrals to additional counseling or therapy may also be suggested.    

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Why Talkiatry?    

We’re a virtual mental health practice that makes it easy to find great  care. We combine quality and convenience to help you thrive—faster. Our  providers, like this one, are highly trained experts who speciualize in  medication management and collaborate with you on a treatment plan that fits  your needs and comfort level.

Dr. Stephane Louis, LMFT, QS, earned a B.S. in Psychology and Biblical Studies from Palm Beach Atlantic University, followed by her M.S. and PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy from Nova Southeastern University. In 2020, she was featured in Forbes for her study of resilience and intersecting identities in queer women of Afro-Caribbean descent. Past roles include bilingual mental health assessor, psychology instructor at Broward College, and Student Counselor at Lynn University. As a therapist, Dr. Louis’ work has given her in-depth insight into how multiple systems and important relationships can influence the course of a person’s life.

As a queer woman of Haitian descent, Dr. Louis explores different ways the intersectionality of culture, family, identity, and sexuality can impact our lives. She is fascinated by stories of vulnerability, always looking for strengths and solutions. She helps people feel safe to be themselves and go from where they are to where they can be.

Dr. Louis provides individual, couples, and family therapy, integrating Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), Solution-Focused Therapy, collaborative conversations, and systemic approaches to address LGBTQ+ issues, racial trauma, cultural identity exploration, and relational wounds. Dr. Louis will meet you where you are and help you grow into the most authentic version of yourself.

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Dr. Zakiyyah Weatherspoon is a dual-certified Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with over a decade of experience. Since 2011, she has worked in family medicine, and since 2013, she has focused on mental health care across the lifespan. Her background includes treating children, teens and adults in hospitals, private practices, and community settings.

Since 2017, Dr. Weatherspoon specialized in helping individuals manage depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, OCD, PTSD, ADHD, ODD, eating disorders, and substance use. She uses supportive therapy, solution-focused therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy to help clients feel heard, understood, and empowered.

Dr. Weatherspoon is passionate about breaking the stigma around mental health. She encourages her clients to speak up, get help, and take control of their mental wellness. Her approach is based on the Mental Health Recovery Model, which focuses on hope, healing, and building a life beyond diagnosis.

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Background  and credentials    

Dr. Andrew Lelin is a board-certified Psychiatrist in Adult Psychiatry. He  received his bachelor's degree from Johns Hopkins University and a master's  in Medical Humanities, Compassionate Care, and Bioethics from Stony Brook  University. Dr. Lelin earned his medical degree from Hofstra-Northwell School  of Medicine and completed his residency at Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson School  of Medicine, where he specialized in advanced psychopharmacology with diverse  patient populations. He also has extensive training and experience in  psychotherapeutic modalities, including psychodynamic therapy,  cognitive-behavioral therapy, habit-reversal therapy, and cognitive  processing therapy. Following his training, Dr. Lelin provided inpatient  consultation and crisis intervention services in New York City.    

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Treatment approach    

Dr. Lelin employs a compassionate, humanistic approach designed to align  closely with his patients' personal goals and values. His method integrates  advanced psychopharmacology with psychotherapeutic techniques such as  psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, habit-reversal, and cognitive processing  therapies. He aims to carefully balance diagnosis, avoiding both  overdiagnosis and underdiagnosis, to ensure precise and tailored care. Dr.  Lelin’s approach is particularly effective in addressing conditions like  anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, OCD, trauma-related issues, and other  psychiatric conditions.    

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What you can expect in a first visit    

During the initial visit, patients can expect a comprehensive, detailed  evaluation designed to thoroughly understand their individual experiences and  needs. Dr. Lelin prioritizes establishing a compassionate and comfortable  environment where patients can openly discuss their concerns and goals. This  initial assessment is followed by meticulous and thoughtful follow-ups,  providing clarity and direction in the treatment process.    

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Why Talkiatry?    

We’re a virtual mental health practice that makes it easy to find great  care. We combine quality and convenience to help you thrive—faster. Our  providers, like this one, are highly trained experts who speciualize in  medication management and collaborate with you on a treatment plan that fits  your needs and comfort level.